Day 6 of 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways (with Ruth Chou Simons)

*Give Away has Ended*
I don’t have six geese a-laying for you today but I am sure our giveaway guest could paint a lovely water-color picture of them if I did! It is Day Six of my 12th annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways and the talented artist and author Ruth Chou Simons is joining us with a fabulous prize. If you’re just joining in, be sure to start at Day 1 here.
But first, here is another Christmastime idea for you!
Day 6: No More Christmas Without Christ
Christmas without CHrist? It happens all the time.
How odd it must seem to God to see a world “celebrating” the birth of His son, even going so far as to put his name in the title, when in reality, he is absent from much of the hoopla. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love me some hoopla! I would never want Christmas to be serious and stuffy; more funeral-like than fun. But isn’t much of the hoopla all about the trivial? It results in nothing more than a glorified celebration of winter. Or retail shopping. Or a few guilt-easing coins tossed into the red metal bucket with a clink.
Then it is back to “Me, me, ME!!!!!”
What’s a gal to do?
In the midst of the “me-ism” (that even we moms can get caught up in—” Hint, hint dear family: I sure would love that new piece of jewelry!”) I try to remember two goals of Christmas:
Make it about Christ.
Do it for Christ.
Make it about Christ.
If you look carefully, He is all around.
And secondly, do it for Christ.
Are there lonely, left-out, sick or sad people that cross your path? Do something for them.
- Shovel a driveway after a heavy snowfall.
- Go help decorate or address Christmas cards for a shut-in.
- Serve in a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or house for battered women.
- Make snowmen outside the windows of nursing home patients or on the lawn of a children’s hospital.
- Scrape random windshields at the grocery store on a snowy and busy shopping day.
- Take a child whose parents have recently divorced to buy a gift for his mom or dad if you fear the ex-spouse will not do so this year.
Our family has done all of the above, and more. We’ve made it such an aim of our holidays to “do” rather than to “get”, that now our kids know no different.
Now, lest you think we are wonder family, let me assure you right now that the above activities haven’t always been done with a cheerful and cooperative attitude (parents included!) but when you are consistent, something happens.
Your kids will miss it terribly if you stop.
So as this season rolls on, remember…
Make it about Christ.
Do it for Christ.
And don’t forget to throw in a boatload of fun. Jesus’ birthday party should be a blast!
Day 6 Giveaway
My guest today is Ruth Chou Simons of Gracelaced. She’s giving away her beautiful Practicing Praise: A Year in the Psalms 2020 Calendar. Each month is adorned with a watercolor painting + a portion of a verse of truth that is worthy of rehearsing over and over again. As each month ends you can cut out the print + scripture memory card.

Giveaway rules are listed below. Enjoy!
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Ruth Chou Simons is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and speaker. She shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and paintbrush through an online shoppe at GraceLaced.com, an art and lifestyle brand that adorns the gospel through collectible, meaningful, and truth-filled products. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure. Ruth’s first book, GraceLaced, won a 2018 Christian Book Award. Connect with Ruth here on Instagram.
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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Rules
- U.S. Addresses only please.
- You can comment on all 12 days (once per person) up until midnight Pacific time, Sunday, December 22. Each day will be linked below for easy reference.
- One daily winner will be chosen from each day’s comments.
- To enter to win the Grand Prize (worth over $150 and includes a $75 Amazon gift card, and two admission tickets (with meet-and-greet) to a concert with award-winning country music artist, Granger Smith, comment on, and share all 12 posts. You can use the share buttons below or repost and share on Instagram (my fave!) and tag me @karenehman.
- All winners (including Grand Prize) will be announced here on the blog on Monday, December 23, and contacted via email. Please allow 4-6 weeks to receive your prizes.
- If you’re not already subscribed, click HERE and you’ll receive an email notification each day of our series, plus my Bless Don’t Stress devotional.
DAY 6 GIVEAWAY QUESTION:
What is one act of kindness you’d like to try at this time of year?
Let us know in the comments and you’ll be entered in today’s giveaway. Remember, if you want to enter to win the grand prize, you must comment on and share all twelve days.
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Picking a name from the Salvation Army to buy gifts for, and helping them sort and pack their gifts.
Helping others!
Giving gifts to those in need is always fun. Donating gently used items to others is always a good idea, too. Blessed to be blessings.
Getting an ornament off our local “Angel Tree” to make someone else’s holiday a bit brighter!
Being mindful to help those I can during the season whether through, kindness or supplying needs.
To help single mom’s
I just delivered trays of home-baked cookies to each department of the nursing home where my mom recently moved. I personally thanked each person receiving the tray for taking such good care of my 95 year old mom. It was a blessing to me and the workers!
Don’t be the one in a rush. Leave others go first in lines and parking spots.
Leave an anonymous treat for someone.
I left treats for the delivery/mail drivers. It was lovely.
Remind the homeless they are loved
Pay it forward and pay for someone’s drink or meal , serve at a soup kitchen or just share a smile esp at work we’re people can feel so stressed
Forgiveness
I’d love to help a neighbor out with their kiddos. She has recently had surgery and has 5 young kiddos and not a lot of help.
I would like to try to be someone’s Secret Santa and give them something different each day.
“Adopt a grandparent” from a nursing home.. you go to the nursing home, ask if any resident does not receive a visitor on Christmas and then you go and spend time with them. And come back at least three times a month to see them afterwards
I love the idea of buying a gift for a parent of a child who’s parents were recently divorced.
Telling people “hello” simply to make their day… you never know what one could be going through… a hello can change someone’s day/ week/ life
Giving!! I love giving. All types. Charities, Angel Trees etc.
Anonymous donations to a needy charity
Just this year I made cards with 24 names of Christ , with scripture to look up for my grandchildren. Purchased an advent calendar and put a name in each drawer. My four year old grand daughter told me a name of Christ is “Jehoba” (Jehovah) and my three year old grand son told me that a name for Christ is “the vine”. I am over the top excited that this will be used for years to come and will help my grand babies understand all that God is!!
I’ve always wanted to participate in a “Toys for Tots” or another type of gift-giving program for children less fortunate. I never have because I have feared not having the finances to do so. I’m changing that this year. I’ve come to learn that God takes care of us and will bless us when we do His will: to give to and love others. God won’t leave me without.
Baking Christmas cookies for the elderly in rest homes so they can enjoy a Christmas tradition from my family. Anyone who has had family or friends in resthomes realizes they are lonely and love someone who can take TIME to visit them. Bringing cookies and perhaps making hot cocoa, hot cider or hot tea is such a treat for them.
Any time I go through a drive in I like to pay for the car behind me!